Our Counseling staff

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Phyllis Laughlin, MA, LCPC, Clinical Director of Adoptive Parent Services

Phyllis has been with The Cradle since 2000, first as an Adoptive Parent Counselor and now as Clinical Director of Adoptive Parent Services. She supervises a staff of counselors, facilitates training sessions, and works with adoptive parents as they go through the home study process and accept placement. She is involved with the adoption of international, domestic, and special-needs infants and children.

Phyllis earned her Master's degree in community counseling and is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor in the State of Illinois. She has over 15 years of work experience in a corporate setting, has worked as a grief counselor and trainer, and has a small private practice specializing in work with adults.

Pat Trudeau, LCSW, Director of Counseling Services:

Pat is a director of counseling services at The Cradle. Pat brings more than twenty-five years of counseling experience to her work here, and has worked long-term with clients in a wide range of family situations. Pat received her Master's Degree from the Jane Addams School of Social Work.

Arletta Barbel, M.A., Adoption Counselor:

Ever since her experience as a peer mentor in the Big Brother/Big Sister program, Arletta knew she enjoyed mentoring and offering support. Before coming to The Cradle, she worked as a Crisis Counselor at Chicago Youth Centers and as a respite worker at Metropolitan Family Services. Arletta received her Bachelor's Degree from Southern Illinois University and her master's degree from National Louis University.

Liesl Einerson,  LCSW, Adoption Counselor:

Before joining the Cradle, Liesl worked with foster care & adoptions, teen mothers, and post adoption therapy. Liesl is passionate about helping women & children and enjoys learning about new people and cultures. Liesl received her Masters of Social Work from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and she is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. Liesl meets with expectant parents in and around our Indiana office.

Dori Fujii, MSW, LCSW, Adoption Counselor

Dori Fujii has worked in the field of child welfare and adoption since she received her Master's in Social Work from the University of Illinois in 1976. Since 1983, she has been in private practice specializing in work with children, adults and families. She has also worked as a consultant to DCFS in their pre- and post-adoptive services programs, providing assessment and treatment, and has advanced training from the Theraplay Institute in Chicago.

Nina M. Friedman, LCSW, Post Adoption Counselor

Nina has over 13 years of social work experience, working with foster and adoptive children and families, birth parents, and adult adopted people both at The Cradle and in the public child welfare system. She has also worked in private practice as a therapist. Nina has an in depth understanding of many adoption issues. She provides counseling to all members of the adoption circle, compiles background histories, conducts and facilitates search and reunion services, and helps adoptive and birth families mediate open adoption issues that arise. Nina received her undergraduate degree from The Ohio State University in Psychology with a minor in Family Relations and Human Development and her Master of Social Work degree from Washington University in St. Louis She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the State of Illinois. Contact Nina at 847-733-2295 or nfriedman@cradle.org.

Beth Canning Lupo, MA, Cradle Counselor:

Before joining the Cradle, Beth provided therapeutic services to foster families in crisis, and worked for a private practice which specialized in family violence. Beth received her Masters degree in Counseling Psychology from Northwestern University. In addition to her work at The Cradle, Beth also devotes her time as a board member for Rainbows, a non profit which provides support for children experiencing grief and loss.

Leah McCarty, MSW,  Adoption Counselor:

Leah began her work at The Cradle as an Intern with our Post-Adoption Services and is now on our counseling team. Leah enjoys any activity that involves lending a hand, and loves getting to know new people. She received her Master of Social Work from Loyola University Chicago, and is a Licensed Social Worker in the state of Illinois.

Katie McHugh Akbar, LSW,  Adoption Counselor:

Katie first interned at The Cradle in 2005. Since then, she has worked with sexual assault survivors, providing counseling, legal advocacy and community education. She also has professional interest in health & wellness and LGBT issues. After earning her Master of Social Work degree from Columbia University in New York, Katie returned to The Cradle and is proud to be a supportive options counselor.

Kathleen McShane, MA, Adoption Counselor
Kathleen joined The Cradle in 2007. As the Post Placement Specialist, she sees families after they've adopted and helps them with any parenting issues that may arise, such as adjustment, development, openness, etc. Kathleen also organizes and facilitates the Cradle's Post Adoption Workshops.

Kathleen earned her bachelors degree in Psychology and Criminal Justice from Canisius College in Buffalo, NY. She will complete her masters degree in Psychology this summer from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology. Kathleen has previously worked for other agencies in New York in special needs adoption, foster care, and therapeutic foster care. She has also worked with adults and children with developmental disabilities such as Autism and Cerebral Palsy.

Allison Means, MSW, Adoption Counselor

Before coming to the Cradle, Allison worked with pregnant and parenting teen mothers. She is passionate about providing supportive options counseling and is dedicated to serving women and children. Allison earned her bacholers degrees in Psyhology and Women's Studies from Loyola University Chicago and her Masters Degree from Jane Addams College of Social Work.

Iheoma C. Okeke-Banks, MA Adoption Counselor

Iheoma rejoined the Cradle staff in March 2007 to work with adoptive families in both the domestic and international adoption programs. She previously worked with the Cradle in the same capacity from 2004 through 2006. Prior to working at the Cradle, Iheoma was employed as an adoption counselor working with families interested in adopting children with special needs. Iheoma received her undergraduate degree in Psychology from the University of Chicago and her master’s degree in Clinical Psychology from Roosevelt University. She enjoys working with families of all types to through the adoption process and in preparation for becoming parents.

Sue PuffPaff, Adoption Counselor

Sue has worked in the social work field for 13 years, 7 of that in adoption. She received her Master's degree in Social Work from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the State of Illinois. She has a myriad of adoption experiences which includes adoption in the public child welfare system, post adoption and providing counseling to adoptive families. Sue is committed to the field of social work and is passionate about creating families through adoption.

Jennifer Rogers, LCSW, Adoption Counselor:

Jennifer has extensive experience in a wide variety of areas, from providing clinical advice to attorneys to running parents' and children's support groups. She has also worked in private practice as a therapist and supervised child care programs. Jennifer received her Bachelors of Psychology and her Masters of Social Work from University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

Dana M. Rusiniak, LCSW, Adoption Counselor

Dana began at The Cradle in 2000 in the role of Birthparent Counselor. After counseling birthparents for eight years, she began working with prospective adoptive families in the role of Adoption Counselor. Dana enjoys using her knowledge and experience from working with birthparents to help guide and prepare adoptive families during the home study process. She is also a facilitator of adoptive parent educational workshops. Dana received her Master of Social Work degree in 2000 from the University of Illinois at Chicago and is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the State of Illinois.

Judy Stigger, LCSW, Adoption Therapist and Director of Professional Regulations for Adoption Learning Partners

As Adoption Therapist, Judy works with children, adults, and families with post adoption issues. As Director of Professional Relations for Adoption Learning Partners, Judy works with professionals in the adoption field regarding live and online training and development. Previously, Judy coordinated international and domestic adoption programs. She authored Coping with Infertility and many articles related to adoption. Judy conceptualized www.AdoptionLearningPartners.org, creating the content for Conspicuous Families. She presents at local and national conferences, and serves on the advisory board of Adoptive Families Magazine. In 2000, Congress recognized Judy with an Angel in Adoption award, in recognition of her years of service and expertise. Judy and her spouse are the adoptive parents of two grown, special needs children and are also birth grandparents of one, and grandparents of two, lovely granddaughters. Contact Judy at 847-733-3249 or jstigger@cradle.org.

Pam Tancredi, LCSW, Adoption Counselor:

Pam has many years of social service work, from helping children build self esteem to counseling young adults to reach their community and educational goals. As a Cradle counselor, Pam uses her experience to work closely with clients as they explore adoption for their child. Bilingual in English and Spanish, Pam received her bachelor's degree from Miami University and her master's degree from the University of Chicago.

Meghan Walsh, MSW, Adoption Counselor:

Prior to joining the counseling team at The Cradle, Meg completed internships at two different adoption agencies and went on to work as an Adoption Specialist with children in the foster care system. After receiving a B.A. from Marquette University with a double major in Social Welfare & Justice and Sociology and a minor in Family Studies, Meg received her Masters Degree in Social Work from Loyola University in Chicago. Meg enjoys meeting new people and learning about the lives of people from all different backgrounds.

Heide Winckler, LCSW, Adoption Counselor:

In addition to work with The Cradle, Heide has extensive volunteer experience and has done research for the Children and Family Research Center in Urbana. Heide received her Masters of Social Work degree from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and she is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the State of Illinois.